Project Sibukaw: Sulu Garden Foundation's Sappanwood Agroforestry Initiative in Miag-ao
Published June 16, 2026
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Sulu Garden Foundation, Inc. (SGF) has officially launched Project Sibukaw, a pioneering initiative aimed at reviving the historic production of natural sappanwood (sibukaw) dye through community-driven agroforestry and sustainable, commercial-scale processing. Supported by the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program, the project’s inception meeting was recently convened at the SGF headquarters to align project frameworks with local community stakeholders.
Heritage & History Advisory Board Member Salvador Acsay leads sibucao residents and landowners on a guided tour of the ongoing historical diorama museum
The initiative represents a vital intersection of biocultural heritage preservation and active ecosystem restoration. While the global shift toward artificial dyes historically decimated the natural dye market, leading to widespread deforestation as sappanwood was relegated to firewood, Project Sibukaw introduces a sustainable economic paradigm shift. Project Sibukaw is intended as the demonstration of how reforestation of Panay can be undertaken while making sure that there is community support through livelihood generation.
Salvador Acsay of the Heritage & History Advisory Board leading a community discussion on Sibucao history and local economic livelihood initiatives.
The meeting prioritized the intersection of heritage preservation and active reforestation. Heritage & History Advisory Board member Salvador Acsay further explained that we must treat sibukaw wood as a high-value, long-term investment for organic global markets, rather than utilizing it merely as an ornamental boundary landmark. And he also described the historical context of sibukaw as once a product shipped via the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade for dye extraction in Mexico for the world market during the Spanish colonial period.
Research Associate Kim Alunan and Hon. Gloria Mariano exploring barangay partnerships for high-yield intercropping and sustainable rural livelihood programs.
Community Engagement and Economic Resilience
Facilitated by SGF Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Matias, the strategic session secured strong institutional cooperation with local leadership, represented by Barangay Captain Hon. Gloria Mariano and 31 landowners/residents of Barangay Sibucao. Araceli Q. Matias, SGF Chairman, welcomed the participants to the meeting.
To ensure short-term economic viability for local farmers while the sappanwood matures, Senior Research Associate Kim Alunan outlined integrated crop cultivation frameworks. Residents will leverage immediate, high-yield livelihood opportunities through the intercropping of blue ternate (butterfly pea) and Ube (purple yam), blending traditional farming with commercial-scale market integration.
Strategic Next Steps
Barangay Sibucao Residents Engaging In An Active Q&a Session To Discuss And Clarify the introduction to Project Sibukaw.
The inception meeting concluded with clear operational milestones. SGF and the leadership of Barangay Sibucao are currently finalizing logistics and baseline project maps. , and a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to solidify this long-term environmental partnership. Progress reports are concurrently being routed to the Direct Aid Program to initiate the first phase of field deployment.
